DDT-induced feminization of gull embryos [Breeding failure in adult birds]

Injection of DDT [1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane] into gull eggs at concentrations comparable to those found in contaminated seabird eggs in 1970 induces abnormal development of ovarian tissue and oviducts in male embryos. Developmental feminization of males is associated with inabili...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) 1981-08, Vol.213 (4510), p.922-924
Main Authors: Fry, D. Michael, Toone, C. Kuehler
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Androgen-Insensitivity Syndrome - chemically induced
Androgen-Insensitivity Syndrome - veterinary
Animals
Aviculture
Bird Diseases - chemically induced
Birds - physiology
Breeding
DDT - pharmacology
Eggs
Embryos
Environmental Exposure
Female animals
Feminization
Male
Male animals
Oviducts
Reproduction - drug effects
Sea birds
Sex Ratio
Testes
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Summary:Injection of DDT [1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane] into gull eggs at concentrations comparable to those found in contaminated seabird eggs in 1970 induces abnormal development of ovarian tissue and oviducts in male embryos. Developmental feminization of males is associated with inability to breed as adults and may explain the highly skewed sex ratio and reduced number of male gulls breeding on Santa Barbara Island in southern California.
ISSN:0036-8075
1095-9203
DOI:10.1126/science.7256288